Band 5.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.0 · Cambridge IELTS 21 · 2026-09-30

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below gives information about the number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US between 1960 and 2020.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Number of jobs in four sectors of the economy in the US, 1960-2020

Student answer (Band 5.0)

The graph presents information regarding number of jobs in US from 1960 to 2020 in manufacturing, retail, agriculture and healthcare sector of the economy. Overall there was a mild trend across four sectors of the economy. The retail and healthcare sector followed an upward trend in jobs over the year whereas agricultural sector followed a downward trajectory but the manufacturing sector is one which firstly increased and then declined. In 1960 nearly 15million jobs were produced by manufacturing sector followed by around 6million by both retail and healthcare sector and fewer job were offered in agricultural sector. In 1980 maufacturing sector provided a peak of 20 million jobs and ultimately followed a downward trend but more than the agriculture sector.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.0

The response attempts to cover the main features of the graph comparing four economic sectors in the US between 1960 and 2020. An overview is provided, noting upward trends for retail and healthcare, a downward trajectory for agriculture, and a fluctuating pattern for manufacturing. Specific data points are cited, such as manufacturing starting at nearly 15 million in 1960 and peaking at 20 million in 1980. However, the response stops abruptly mid-sentence and is significantly under-length at only 120 words (below the 150-word minimum). This results in an incomplete overview and undeveloped reporting of the later years, particularly the 2000 and 2020 data for retail and healthcare. Consequently, the task is only partially addressed.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.0

The response attempts a logical flow, beginning with an introduction and overview, followed by body details. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'whereas', and 'ultimately' are used to link ideas. However, paragraphing is disrupted due to erratic formatting and the incomplete nature of the text, with large gaps appearing between sentences. Referencing is generally clear, but the overall structural progression is hindered by the abrupt termination of the response. Cohesion is sometimes mechanical, reflecting an essay that was cut short during drafting.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

The vocabulary used is generally adequate for the task, with terms like 'trajectory', 'fluctuated' (implied), 'downward trend', and 'peak'. However, there are notable spelling errors, such as 'maufacturing' instead of 'manufacturing', and missing articles and plural forms, such as 'regarding number of jobs in US' and 'agricultural sector followed a downward trajectory'. The range of vocabulary is somewhat limited and repetitive, which prevents the response from achieving a higher band score, though the meaning remains mostly clear.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

The writer attempts a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, utilizing subordinating conjunctions like 'whereas'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and omissions, particularly missing articles ('in US', 'by manufacturing sector') and prepositional inaccuracies. The sentence structures in the second paragraph become awkward, and the text ends abruptly without completion. Despite these errors, basic sentence structures are understandable and do not totally impede communication, though grammatical control is inconsistent.

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